LONDON, United Kingdom — 17 March 2026
A man has been found guilty of murdering his five‑week‑old daughter after a court heard that the infant suffered a catastrophic brain injury and more than 40 rib fractures during repeated assaults in the weeks leading up to her death.
Prosecutors told the jury that the baby girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was subjected to a “pattern of sustained violence” inside the family home. Medical experts testified that the injuries were consistent with forceful shaking and compression, inflicted on multiple occasions.
According to evidence presented in court, the child was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. Doctors reported that she arrived unresponsive, with extensive internal injuries that specialists described as “among the most severe” they had encountered in an infant. Despite emergency treatment, she died shortly afterwards.
Detectives said the father initially claimed the baby had suddenly become unwell, but forensic examinations contradicted his account. Investigators found no accidental explanation for the extent of the trauma.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that the father became violent when the baby cried, leading to repeated assaults over several weeks. The court heard that the rib fractures were at different stages of healing, indicating ongoing abuse rather than a single incident.
In a statement outside court, senior officers from the Metropolitan Police said the case had been “deeply distressing” for everyone involved. “This was a defenceless newborn who should have been safe in her own home,” a spokesperson said. “Instead, she was subjected to unimaginable harm.”
Child protection agencies confirmed that the family had not been previously known to social services. A multi‑agency review is expected to examine whether any opportunities were missed to identify risks to the infant.
Sentencing will take place at a later date. The judge told the defendant that a life sentence is “all but inevitable” given the gravity of the crime.
Authorities said the mother, who was not charged, is receiving support from specialist services.
Source: Court proceedings and statements from the Metropolitan Police.